The need for efficient use of municipal water in Manitoba is not obvious. Manitoba is blessed with an abundant amount of surface and ground water in its inland lakes, rivers, and aquifers. However, the amount of suitable water available for municipal use in Manitoba is diminishing. Competing uses decrease the share of water available to municipalities. The amount and quality of water appropriate for municipal use in Manitoba is diminishing. Because of natural and human pollutants, and geographic considerations, suitable water sources in heavily populated areas are becoming increasingly scarce. Decreased quality of additional water sources results in the necessity of increasingly advanced and expensive treatment required to result in drinking water of acceptable quality. Treatment and accessibility are therefore becoming expensive factors in municipal water supply decisions. The costs of providing water and wastewater treatment services to Manitobans are steadily increasing. Manitoba's Water Efficiency Program will assist Manitobans in addressing water demand issues.

In 1991, Manitoba's total municipal water use was the fifth largest in Canada. Only municipalities in Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Alberta used more water in that year.

Water Costs Money

Escalating expenses are associated with a growing demand for municipal water. Treatment facilities may have a longer life span, as well as able to serve a larger population, if the water use per person decreases. Reducing water waste can also result in lower costs to the municipality of water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. The infrastructure that brings water from the water source must be built and maintained. Pumping water from the water source, through the system, to the user, consumes large quantities of energy. Treatment may be required to produce high quality water that is in compliance with the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Similarly, wastewater must be collected and transported to the sewage treatment plant. Before being released back to the environment, the wastewater must be treated to accepted standards. Handling wastewater safely and effectively requires expensive infrastructure. All treatment requires ongoing labour and chemical costs, and monitoring programs. Therefore, a reduction in volume will result in lower operating expenses.  Using water more efficiently is a major key to water supply challenges.

Environmental Impact

Reducing water consumption affects both the water supply source and the water body receiving the resulting wastewater. Plants and animals that live in the water may be negatively affected when large amounts of water are withdrawn on a continuous basis, changing the natural water flow. When wastewater is discharged into a water body, the result can be negligible or significant. The effect depends on the amount and quality of the wastewater, the nature of the treatment, and the characteristics of the receiving water body. If a sewage treatment plant is overloaded, it cannot adequately treat the wastewater. Therefore, reducing water use may result in a decreased impact on the water source and the receiving environment.

Manitoba's Water efficiency Program endeavors to help communities and individuals save money and preserve the environment. Using water more efficiently can reduce infrastructure and supply costs for both water and wastewater systems. If humans withdraw less water from a water source, and release lower quantities of treated wastewater into the receiving body, related environmental impacts on natural water bodies can be minimized.

Individuals, municipalities, business, and government can each contribute to the solution. Manitoba Conservation is targeting each of these sectors, and will provide support to activities relating to water efficiency.

Manitoba's Initiatives

To reduce the need for municipal water and wastewater treatment, the Province of Manitoba is identifying opportunities to encourage greater water efficiency. The intent is to:

• reduce over consumption of Manitoba's available water resources;
• reduce or defer water supply and wastewater infrastructure costs;
• improve environmental quality by reducing pollution and health risks;
• allow more users to use the existing treatment plants;
• promote energy conservation (heating water, operating washing machines and dishwashers, etc.);
• promote job creation and development opportunities in the retrofitting of existing buildings.

By learning a little, you may be able to save a lot:

Water use in homes makes up a large portion of the water consumption in most communities. Water wasted by toilets that use more than 6 litres per flush, faucets that leak, and habits that we have acquired over the years are difficulties that take little effort to address. Outdoor water use can also be reduced, resulting in a healthier lawn and a lower water bill.

Water softeners add salt to your wastewater. As salts are rarely removed as part of the wastewater treatment process, this salt can contribute to high salt levels in the receiving stream, or high salt content in soils if using a septic system.

The threat of frozen water pipes can cause people or water utilities to leave water running, sometimes for the entire winter. The cost of the water is lower than the cost and/or inconvenience of frozen water pipes. Although not as common, sewage pipes can also freeze, causing sewer back-up. There are several solutions to these common problems.

Lower water bills, as well as reduced use of salt for water softeners, decreased electricity for pumping from a well, and less energy for hot water may save you money. Use water more efficiently so your pocketbook and the environment will both win!

Municipalities can contribute to the water efficiency effort by developing a municipal water conservation plan. Being proactive, acting before there is a need for water or wastewater expansions is one of the best ways to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely. Municipalities may wish to do a water audit of their operations, to ensure any expenditures are directed to the best possible use.

Pierson is a small community in south-western Manitoba that addressed its water leakage and frozen water pipe challenges, resulting in reduced water use of 37% and reduced energy costs of 35%

Gillam addressed the issues of infrastructure renewal and bleeders, resulting in a reduction in water demand of approximately 55%.

Gimli has completed a large amount of work to reduce infiltration into their sewage collection system, as well as work to reduce water use. For 1997, consumption was down approximately 25%.

Summary

Using water efficiently is beneficial to the environment, may delay water supply considerations, and lower water supply and wastewater treatment costs.

Clean water is a finite resource, even in Manitoba. Treating water, and the resulting wastewater to an acceptable level requires sizable infrastructure and operating expenditures. Modest consumption rates must be encouraged, both at home and at work. Contributing to the sustainability of the environment is the most long-term reward. Using water efficiently is the key to solving water related, supply and environmental challenges, both now and in the future.

For more information, see the Manitoba Water Quality Handbook.